Balsamic Cranberry Brie Bites – Christmas Party Food
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The best Christmas party appetizers are simple to make and use easy to find, seasonal ingredients. These balsamic cranberry brie bites make the best appetizers because they are elegant, full of flavor and cinch to make. Try them for your next party.
The holidays are always packed with parties. From casual get togethers to all out elegant affairs, these balsamic cranberry brie bites will fit right in as one of the best appetizers you can serve.ย
Whenever I am planning finger foods for a party, I always try to select ingredients that can be used for multiple recipes. A cranberry brie puff pastry recipe can take on many forms from these little brie bites to a complete baked brie cranberry en croute.
The most popular Christmas party appetizers at our events are always the brie appetizer because no one can resist the creamy cheese.
Ingredients for Cranberry Brie Bites
- Puff Pastry
- Fresh Cranberries
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Sugar
- Fresh Rosemary
- Brie
- Egg
Unlike many people do for cheese platters, be sure to remove the rind from the brie wheel before starting with this recipe though.
Tips for Working with Puff Pastry
Working with puff pastry can seem like a daunting task if you aren’t used to it. A few tips for using puff pastry to make it much easier:
- Be sure to thaw it but only for about 30-40 minutes. If it stays out of the freezer for much longer, the dough will begin to get sticky and difficult to work with.
- Do not attempt to unfold the puff pastry until it is thawed. This will prevent cracking.
- Flour your work surface AND your rolling pin. This will prevent the dough from sticking and pulling when you are rolling it out.
- Don’t have a rolling pin? Don’t worry! You can use anything similar. I actually used a vodka bottle to roll out the dough for these because my rolling pin was missing.
- Use sharp tools when cutting puff pastry. This will ensure that your cuts are clean.
- Put your pastry back into the fridge for a few minutes before baking. This will ensure it puffs perfectly.
- To get the golden brown coloring, brush the outer edges with a light egg wash before baking.
This recipe uses fresh cranberries which are so easy to find around the holidays. If you want to make these any time of year though, just check the freezer section where you will find whole cranberries. A quick thaw before using them will make them perfect for this recipe.
These are always a crowd favorite at every event we serve them. They have an incredible flavor combination that is also filled with holiday spirit.
More Great Finger Foods for Parties
If you love these balsamic cranberry brie bites, be sure to check out these other great finger foods for party:
- Roasted Garlic Stuffed Mushrooms
- Pomegranate Pumpkin Crostini
- Prosciutto Parmesan Cheese Straws
- Antipasto Skewers
- Pomegranate Goat Cheese Mini Bites
More Ways to Use Brie
- Cherry Brie Crostini
- Sriracha Apricot Bacon Brie
- Cayenne Candied Bacon Brie
- Baked Brie with Caramelized Onions
- Sausage and Brie Breakfast Casserole
If you make these balsamic cranberry brie bites or any other recipe from the blog, please be sure to share your experience in the comments. Or snap a photo and tag it #MySuburbanKitchen on Instagram or Twitter.
Balsamic Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites
Ingredients
- 1 package puff pastry thawed
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 wheel brie rind removed
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 Tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Line a second rimmed baking sheet with nonstick foil.
- In a medium bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, sugar and cranberries. Stir to combine and then transfer to baking sheet lined with foil. Top with rosemary. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.12 ounces fresh cranberries, 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2/3 cup sugar, 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out puff pastry into large rectangle. Using a round biscuit cutter, cut into circles and transfer to baking sheet lined with parchment paper.1 package puff pastry
- Cut the brie into small pieces. Place in the center of each puff pastry circle. Bake for 5 minutes.1 wheel brie
- In a small bowl, whisk together egg and water to create egg wash.1 large egg, 1 Tablespoon water
- Remove pan from oven and top each circle with cranberries. Brush sides with egg wash and return to oven for 10-15 minutes or until puff pastry is fully cooked and lightly browned.
Notes
- If fresh cranberries are not available, thaw frozen cranberries and dry with paper towels to remove excess surface moisture before combining with sugar.
- Brie puff pastry bites can be topped with additional fresh rosemary, if desired.
Nutrition
